Anyone been to the Winter Wonderland this year?

[nunheadmum]

Meeting a friend there with the kids at the weekend and just wondering if it's any good. I'm resigning myself to it costing a small fortune. Is it worth the queue for Santa - it talks of a 2-3 hour wait on the website. Certainly won't wait that long but wondering if a shorter wait could be worth it?

[lenster]

Went today and there were only three people ahead in the queue for Santa at around midday. Am guessing it'll be a much longer queue at the weekend. They have an official photographer, but you don't have to buy the photo and you can take your own instead. Can't say it's worth queuing for long as you only get a quick hello with Santa.

I love Winter Wonderland though and will definitely be taking my little one back before it closes in Jan.

[Cathy migan]

I went mid week and the queue wasn't too bad but you literally get a few seconds with Santa. The whole experience though is magical although yes be prepared as everything costs once in.

[antantant]

I just heard a horror story at work that there were queues just to get in around lunch time over the weekend - only people with ice skating or ferris wheel tickets could go straight in...

Can any one confirm?

I'm going this Saturday with kiddo, but am now planning to go early. It opens at 10am.

[nunheadmum]

We went at 11.30 on Saturday and walked straight in. But I did see queues later on and I'm glad they didn't let everyone in as it was pretty crowded as it was - but bearable. Many more and it would have been awful.

I would say that there isn't a lot of seating in the general areas so expect to do LOTS of walking around. But my normally reluctant walkers managed to go from 11.30 till around 4pm with only a few rides - so there must be something about it that they like!

[canela]

i went on sunday to a birthday party in the ice-sculpture palace with pre-booked tickets. my son's verdict? boring as too much waiting around....

we got in ok but later on they were only letting in people with pre-booked tickets. a small fortune is an understatement! corn on the cob at ?3.50 each!!! plus full of security guards in megaphones shouting at people to keep to the left. really took the magic out of it for me....

if your kids really like funfairs and you don't mind shelling out then sure it will be fun. personally i thought it was awful. i've heard it's a lot bigger this year than previously so maybe they have just overdone it?